When the military regime headed by Gowon divided Nigeria into 12 states, it sought to weaken the prospect of the different groups in the Eastern Region uniting against the Nigerian state .
Mgbe ndị agha nke Gowon na-achị kewara Naịjirịa n'ime steeti iri abụọ, ọ chọrọ imebi atụmatụ nke ndị otu dị iche iche na mpaghara ọwụwa anyanwụ ijikọ aka megide Naịjirịa .